Switch



April 16,` 1929. A. ALsAKER ET A1.

SWITCH April 16, 1929- A. ALsAKER ET AL swITcH Filed sept. 2, 19'27 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 wir April 16,1929. A. ALSAKER ETAL l 1,709,453

SWITCH Filed sept. 2, 1927 4 sheets-sheet 3 April 16, 1929. A. ALSAKER ET Ax.

SWITCH Filed Sept. 2, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Apr. 16, 1929.

`UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

.ALFRED ALSAKER AN D SIDNEY J. LURIE, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS T0 THE DELTA-STAR ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A

ILLINOIS.

CORPORATION OF SWITCH.

Application led September Our invention relates, in general, to electrical switching devices, and more particularly to such switching devices as are known in the art by the term disconnect switches.

As is well known, disconnect switches are usually placed in series with circuit breakers and such apparatus, and are used to isolate the switches and apparatus with which `they may be associated, so that they may b e Worked upon with safety. Obviously, switches of this character may not be operated for long periods of time and are frequently very dificult to operate. In addition, such switches are used a great deal in outdoor substation equipment where they are likely to become coated with ice and sleet in the winter months, thus rendering them very diiiicult to operate. In view of the foregoing, it becomes necessary to provide means whereby the disconnecting switches may be readily operated even under the most adverse conditions.

One of the objects of our invention is to provide means for imparting an initial or preliminary movement to the switch blade of the disconnect switch of relatively greater force than would be applied by the simple opening movement, to overcome any bind or lock between the switch blade and the stationary terminal, whether it is due to ice or sleet, or static friction.

'Another object is to provide a disconnect switch in which the switch blade may be mounted so that the movement to open the switch may occur in either a clockwise or contraclockwise"direction without any material alteration of the switch structure.

Another object is` to` provide a disconnect switch of the above type in which the switch blade, in addition to having the preliminary or ice breaking movement when the switch is opened, has a similar movement when the switch is closed.

Another object is to provide an improved mounting for a disconnect switch of the character described for so counterbalancing it that Vit maybe more easily operated. There are other objects of our invention which, together with the foregoing, will be described more in detail. in the specification which is `to follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. i

- In its preferred form, our invention consist-s essentially of two insulator stacks mounted upon a base by offset brackets, one

2, 1927. Serial N0. 217,036.

of these insulators being rotatably mounted and having afHXed thereto a suitable blade mechanism by a second offset bracket. The other insulator stack carries the usual stationary terminal mounted thereon by an offset bracket so as to be in alignment with the switch blade. The blade mechanism is so constructed that when the insulator `is rotated, a preliminary longitudinal 1novement of great force is applied to the blade to break whatever bind'there may be between the blade and the terminal, either by reason of static friction, corrosion, iceor sleet. The subsequent rotation of the blade in itsopenin g movement occurs inthe usual manner.

' Referring now to the drawings,

Fig. l is a side elevation of our improved switch; y i

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the disconnect switch;

Fig. 3' is a fragmentary section along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction terminal or contact member;

Fig. 4 is a detail section along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows; l

Fig. 5 is a detail section along the line 5-5 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows, showing a view of the Contact, together with the switch blade in its closed position;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged longitudinal section of the switch blade along the line 6-6 `of Fig. 2; showing the mechanism involved in the so-called A. R. T. movement which is employed to break any bind between the blade and the terminal;

Fig". 7 is a cross section of the switch blade along the line 7 7 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a cross section along the line 8 8 of Fig. 6, showing` the manner in which the rotary insulator bracket is `aiiixed to 'the switch blade mechanism;

Fig. 9 is a cross section along the line 9-9 of Fig. 6, showing the manner in which the base` bar and the switch blade are pivotally fastened together;

Fig. 10 is a top` plan View of the switch blade when the disconnect switch is partially open, showing various consti-notional details; and

Fig. 1l is another top plan view of the switch blade mechanism on an enlarged scale showulg a .IllOClfiCitf-)D O the invention wherein of the arrows showing detail of the stationary in which like reference,characters in the .va-`

rious ligures `designate similar parts. reference characters 1 and 2 designate a pair ot stack insulators et any usual construction mounted by means ot' the offset brackets 3 and 4t upon a channel base 5. rllie support 5 is U-like in shape and is grounded inany suitable oi desired manner. The` offset bracket 4- ,is mounted .upon a rotary bearing 6 attachedto .tliechannel `base 5. llhe rotary bearing 6 is of the `construction illustrated and `described in .the co-pending `application of AltredAlsaker, Ser. No. 137,926, tiled September 27 1926.Y `fzlhe bearing 6 is adapted to be rotated :by the :linktmember 7 through the medium 4of .a `pipe .8 that is operated in the usualmanner Aby a switch handle (not shown). Aspring 9 is adapted to be tensioned .when the insulator 6 is rotated, since it is attached tof-the pipe .8 by the clevis 10. The spring 9 Vis'provided .tor the purpose ot' balancing the switch ,blade to render the operation of the latter very easy. vThe switch blade :mechanism 10 is attached to the 4rotary insulator stack 2 by means ont the o iset bracket 11. The switch iblade mechanism 10 is attached to the offset bracket 11 by means ot thebolt-il2 passing through the `blade base '13.` Pins 141 and `151 are provided to prevent the rotation ofthe blade rbase on the offset bracket. The blade base 13 is attached at one end to the switch blade 1 6 by the bolt 17 which also constitutes a holding means tor the terminal lug 18. The switch blade 16 is rotatably fastened by .the bolt 17 which may be .designated the-terminal pivot. The terminal pivot 17 passes through a short longitudinal slot 35 in the switch blade 16. A {iexible conductor 19 extends from the terminal 18 to the switch lblade 1G to by-pass v'theterminal pivot 17 thefeby providing a good electrical connection betweentlie terminal and the switch blade. As may be seen from Fig. 1, the center of the pivot 17 passes through the .center `of the rotary bearing 6, hence it coincides with 'the` axis about which the switch member rotates. a result. there is no turning `movement of the terminal member 118 ,during the rotation ot the switch,

f the member 18 remaining in the same posilit tion whether the switch is opener closed. The terminal pivot 17 is protected from ice by the sleet shield 19. A, reentorcing meinber `2()` ot steel or other suitable material is attached to the switch blade in any well known or desired manner. The upper end ot the switch blade is attached to thc blade base by means ot a link member 21. The link member 21 is pivotally fastened to the switch blade at 22 and pivotally fastened to the blade base at 23. Y Bracket 24 is attached to the blade base and constitutes a holding means for a spring 25 which is attached to theswitch blade by means ot the bracket 26. This peculiar assembly oit the switch blade mechanism constitutes aV toggle and serves to impart the initial or preliminary longitudinal movement to thc switch blade. as will appear.

The stationary insulator' stack l carries an offset or adapter.bracket 2?' to which is attached the stationary terminal or contact member 28A The detailed construction otthc stationary terminal member may be seen. by reteiiring to Figs. 3, 4c and 5. i The stationary terminal 28 is of the usual construction, ,being provided with two contact members 29 and 3() mounted on either side ot` the terminal lug 5) by the bolt L51, 4flared outwardly on the sideadapted to beengaged by the switch blade and held resiliently by the leat sprint?.l members 31 and 32. The terminal lug 50 carries the usuali extension 52 that Vfurnishes a stoptor the switch blade.

Having described the mechanical construction oi'iour improved disconnect switch, we will now explain `.the manner in which the varier-is parts function.

llilhen' it is desired to open the switch, the rotary insulatorisirotatcd in :a clockwise dircction,` Since tlierotarv 'insulator 2 is tastened to the blade base. the blade 4ba rotated. Thcb'lade base is fastened to the switch blade by the link 21 and, therefore,` the movement ot the blade base serves to move the switch blade in a longitudinal direction7 the switch 4blade 2O moving` in the slot Q This longitudinal movement is very UU much more powerful than any increment that could beimparted tothe switch blade by merely rotating it. When the end of the slot is reached Aby the movement of the blade 15in a longitudinal direction, it is then rotated in the usual manner.v rlhe preliminaryv movement oit' the blade base serves to tension the spring 25. Ablow, when the rotary movement oit the *itch blade takes place, the spring moves the .sw-itch blade so that the whole assembly t es itsoriginal or normal position. the switch blade 16 moving forward in the slot 35. f

lllhen tlie switch is closed by moving the rotatable insulator in a contra-clockwise direction. the stop 36 attached to the blade base 18 engages the side ot the switch blade 16 and the switch `blade assembly 10 moves as a unit until the switch blade is forced into the stationary terminal.

lllhen `the switch blade 1G is rotated to open 'the switch. the spring 9 tensioned to lOl) 27, permits standard type insulator stacks to be used without change in this otl'set assembly. Since the rotatable insulator stack 2 `is attached to the bladebasc 13 at its upper end, the weight ot' the .switch blade partially connterbalanccd. The otl'set mounting ot the insulator stacks l and 2 also provides that the onlyiiorce applied to the insulator stacks a `cantilever one instead ot a torsional one. .,flt'will be seen that after this preliminary longitudinal movement is given the switch blade 1.6 and the `rotary movement ot the switch blade is begun, the spring 25 operates to force the switch blade back to its original position with a snapping movement. Where very large switches are used having long and heavy switch blades of upwards ot' tive feet in length, there is considerable vibration set up by this snapping movement. Ittherefore is desirable to eliminate this snapping movement on the large switches. In order to accomplish this result with a minimum change in the switch structure, the mounting of the spring 25 was changed so that instead of tending to torce the blade base and the switch bladeinto alignment at the beginning ot the rotary movement, it tended tohold them apart. This construction maybe seen with reference to Fig. 1l. In this figure the spring 25 is attached to the switch blade by the bracket Ll() which extends slightly beyond the edge of the switch blade. The other end ot the spring is attached to the bracket 4l which ismonnted upon `the blade base 13. By thus mounting the spring 25, it will be seen that the tendency ot the spring is to maintain the switch blade assembly l in the position shown during its rotary movement.

The operation in this case is somewhat dilerent. since there is a double A. R. T. movement ofthe. switch blade, one on closing the switch. and one upon opening the switch. It will be seen that when the rotary insulator 2 carrying the switch blade 13 is rotated under these comlitions, the switch blade 16 rotates until the end of the blade engages the stop Lcarried by the stationary terminal assembly. Thereupon, since the switch blade can no longer 4be rotated, the toggle action, including' the blade base 13 and the link 2l, is torced intooalignment with the switch blade 16, wherebythe switch blade is moved in a longitudinaldirection into its closed position.

W'hen the switch is opened, the blade base is rotatedto move the switch blade in a longitudinal directionuntil the end of the slot is reached. after whicha rotary movement ot the switch blade occurs. .i

It sometimes becomes desirable in certain installations to have the switch blades opened with a contra-clockwise movement instead ot a clockwise movement, exactly the reverse liromthat herein described. lt therefore becomes highly desirable to accomplish this resultwvithout material change in the construction ol the switch. In our improved switch, all that is necessary to` doto cause the switch blade to be rotated in a contr: clockwise direction to open the switch, is` to reverse thc stationary terniinal and to mount the slop 36 ol.'Y the switch blade on the oppositeside o i' the hase blade 13. These changes will permit the type of disconnectswitch shown in Figs. l to l0, mclus1vc,.to operate in the desired manner. The. toggle link comprising the blade base litand the link 2l simply move to the other side oi the switch blade into a position corresponding to the one shown in the drawings when the switch is opened.

`With the type o'l' switch shown in Fig. 11, all the preceding changes must be made and, in addition, the bracket 40 carrying the spring 25 is mounted upon the other side` or edge of the switch blade 16, while thebracket Lll on the blade `base limay `be lett in its present condition. With these changes, the

disconnect switch having the switch blade ing member `for said blade pivotally attached i `thereto at one end, and a link member con' necting the other end ot said supporting member to said blade.

2. A switch comprising aswitch terminal, a blade forcontacting said terminal, a supporting member for said blade pivotally attached thereto at one end through a slot in said blade, and alink connecting the other end ot said supportingl member to said blade.

3. A. switchcomprising a switch terminal, a` blade for contacting said terminal, a. sup porting member for said blade pivotallyat` tached thereto at one end through a` slot in said blade, a link connecting the other end of said supporting member to said blade, and

lll)

lill) means for rotating said supportingmember j to causesaid blade'to move longitudinally in said slot. v

4. A switch comprising an insulated support including an oscillatory insulator, a supporting member rigidly mounted upon said insulator, al switch blade pivotally connected to said supporting member at one end` and a link member for connecting theother end of said supporting member to said switch blade.

5. A. switch comprising `aninsulated sup-4 insulator, a switch blade pivotally connected to said supporting member at one end, a link member tor connecting` the other end oi said supporting member to said switch blade, and resilient means Yfor maintaining said link member and said support-ing member normally in alignment with said switch blade.

6.' A switch comprising an insulated sup-` va blade for contacting said terniiiiaha supporting member for said blade, a link connecting said blade and said support-ing mechanism for giving said `blade a preliminary vlongitu dinal movement when said supporting member is rotated, and aresilient connection between said switch blade and said supporting member for causing said switch blade andsupporting member mechanism to operate in a unitary manner when the supporting member is rotated inthe opposite direction.

8.` A switch comprising a switch terminal, a blade for contacting said terminal, a supporting member for said blade, said supporting member being pivotally connected to said `blade at one end, al link member pivotally connecting the other end oi said supporting Y member to said blade, and a resilient connection between said-supporting member and said blade for imparting a longitudinal movel ment to said switch blade when said supporting member is rotated.

9. A switch comprising a switch-terminal, a` blade for contacting said terminal, a sii-pporting member for said blade, said support-V ing member being pivotallyconnected to said blad'efat one end, a link member pivot-ally connecting the other end ot said supporting member to said blade, a resilient connection between said supporting member and said blade for imparting a longitudinal movement to said switch blade when said supporting member is rotated,` a stopping member i mounted upon said supporting member, and

a resilient connection between said supporting member and said switch blade, said stopping member and said resilient means coop'- erating to place said supporting member and said link member in alignment after the preliminary longitudinal movement of said switch blade.

l0. A switch comprising aswitcli terminal, a 'blade for contacting said-terminal, a supporting member for said blade, said supporting member being pivotally connected to said blade at i one end, a link member pivotally connecting the other end of said supporting member to said blade, a resilient connection between said supporting member andsaid blade for imparting a longitudinal movement to said switch blade when said supporting member is rotated, a stopping member mounted upon said supporting member, and a resilient connection between said supporting member and said switch blade, said stopping member and said resilientmeans cooperating to place said supporting` member and `said link member in alignment during the rotation of said supporting member in a direction toY cause said switch blade to contact said terminal.

ll. A switch comprising aswitch terminal, a blade for contacting` said terminal, an insulating support tor said terminal, a supporting member for said switch blade pivotally connected thereto at one end,l a link member tor connecting the other end of said support to said switch blade, air insulating rotatable support for said supporting member, said supporting member and said link member cooperating to give said switch blade a preliminary longitudinal movement when `said supporting.V member is rotated.

l2. A switch comprising a. switch terminal, al blade' for contacting said terminal, an insulating support for said terminal, a supporting member orsaid switch blade pivotally connected thereto at onel end, a link member for connecting the' other end of said support to said switch blade, aiiinsulating rotatablesupportior said supporting member, said supporting member and said link member cooperatiiig to give said switch blade a preliminary longitudinal movement when said supporting member is rotated, a spring connecting said supporting member and said switch blade adapted to bring the supporting member and Vcause said blade to move within said slot,

and resilient means connecting said supporting member andsa'id switch blade for maintaining said blade stationary in said slot duringits further rotation.

let. In an electric switch, a supporting insulator, means for revolving the insulator about an aXis other than the axis of the insulator, aswitcli member passing through the axis ot revolution oif' the insulator and supported by the insulator, and an electrical connection with the switch member at the point llU where the switch member intersects its axis of revolution.

15. In a switch, two links pivoted together at one end, a switch blade supported by the other end of both of said links, one of these support-ing connections being a lost motion connection.

16. In a switch, an oscillatory supporting member, two links pivoted together at one end and supported by said member, a switch blade, and connections between the other end of each of said links and said switch blade, one of said connections bein@ a lost motion connection.

17. In a switcIi, a switch blade supported to permit rotation and limited longitudinal movement, a link pivoted at one end to the switch blade, link means for revolving the other end of the link about the axis of rotation of the switch blade, and spring means for moving the blade to its normal longitudinal position.

18. In a switch, a revolvable insulator, a switch blade supported by the insulator, a link pivotally connected to the switch blade, the other end of the link being also revolvable about the axis of revolution of the insulator,

and spring means for urging the switch blade into its normal longitudinal position.

19. In a switch, an insulator revolvable about an external axis, a supporting base tixed to the insulator, a switch blade pivoted to the base to swing with respect to the base about an axis coincident with the axis of revolution of the base.

20. In a switch, a revolvable insulator, a supporting base lixed to the insulator, a switch blade pivoted to the ba'se to rotate with respect to the base about an axis coincident with the axis of revolution of the base, and means for moving the switch blade with respect to its axis of rotation.

21. In a switch, a fixed contact, a blade in engagement therewith, means for moving the blade ont of engagement with the contact by successive longitudinal and rotating movements of the blade, said means being e'ective to rotate the blade in either direction from the contact to open the switch.

In witness whereof, we hereunto subscribe our names.

ALFRED ALSAKER. SIDNEY J. LURIE. 

